Firefighters from University Heights and Shaker Heights listen to speakers during a town hall meeting on the topic of a study that considers combining fire services for those two cities Dec. 4 at University Heights City Hall. The firefighters outnumbered residents at the meeting.Ed Wittenberg/Sun News

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- The University Heights firefighters union, IAFF Local 974, opposes a merger with the Shaker Heights Fire Department at this time, the union’s executive board indicated in a letter to Mayor Susan Infeld.

Infeld and City Council members received the letter Dec. 4, just before a town hall meeting the city had scheduled at City Hall.

Only five residents attended the meeting, which Infeld set up to give the public a chance to weigh in on the study that considers combining fire services for University Heights and Shaker Heights. However, University Heights firefighters were well-represented.

The study, conducted by Emergency Services Consulting International, was released in late October and has been posted on both cities’ websites.

“After reviewing the study conducted by ESCI, it is our opinion that a merger, as outlined by ESCI, would not be more efficient, would not reduce response time, would not increase service and would ultimately hurt the residents of University Heights,” the letter from Local 974 stated.

“In fact, the merger, as outlined, would not decrease or streamline the administration of our fire department.”

Instead, the letter stated, the merger would simply allow the city to save money by reducing the number of firefighters and by eliminating the department’s ladder truck and backup ambulance.

In reviewing the study, members of Local 974 found many instances of what they believe to be inaccurate or misleading information, the letter also stated.

“The study is so full of bad data that it’s just not reliable,” Susannah Muskovitz, legal counsel for Local 974, told Infeld and council Dec. 4. “It’s a major problem.”

Union ‘left out of process’

Muskovitz, who also represents the Shaker Heights firefighters union, said it’s not accurate to say Local 974 opposes a merger in any form.

“They oppose it based on a study that is filled with inaccuracies,” she said. “They would not oppose it necessarily if they were involved in the process.

“It’s unfortunate they’ve been left out of the process, because I think the people who are delivering the service are in the best position to at least provide feedback on what they can do differently to make it more efficient.”

Attached to the union’s letter was a copy of the study, in which members highlighted sections of it they believe are inaccurate or misleading and added comments to explain the issues they have.

On Dec. 7, Infeld said she planned to talk to interim Fire Chief David Rodney to “gauge his reaction” to the union’s comments on the study before she takes any action. Rodney was on vacation Dec. 4 and did not attend the meeting.

“Some of the comments were qualitative, not quantitative, and I’m going to rely on his input,” Infeld said.

The mayor had met with Local 974 members earlier Dec. 4 to discuss the study, a meeting Muskovitz described as “hostile.”

“I didn’t think it was hostile,” Infeld said. “(The union) had requested the meeting, and they had many questions.”

David Hollo, treasurer for Local 974, said ESCI representatives met with the fire chief, the EMS coordinator and two members of the union’s executive board during the one day they spent in University Heights, but no other firefighters were interviewed.

“From probably early September, there were multiple drafts (of the study) that went back and forth between the two administrations,” Muskovitz said. “The union was completely excluded from all of that — both unions.”

Weizer: let voters decide

Former council member Win Weizer, of Jackson Boulevard, was one of two residents who spoke Dec. 4. She suggested the issue of a merger should go to a vote of city residents.

“I feel very strongly this is a major change in the delivery of a safety service,” Weizer said. “I don’t think that’s something the city council can decide.

“I don’t know what the residents would say. But I think one of the questions we need to ask is would our residents be willing to give up something — say backyard garbage pickup — in order to come up with the funds to maintain our fire department independently.”

Paul Miller, of Charney Road, said there are two main factors to consider in a potential merger: cost and service. He agreed with Weizer it’s “a dramatic change to how we operate the city” and a ballot issue may be the best way to decide it.

“I don’t think I’m unique when I say I’m willing to pay the extra dollars, so in my mind I am sure that my family and everybody I love in this community are safe,” he said. “That’s the one thing I care about, safety.”

Infeld said the city did its best to publicize the town hall meeting. An automated phone message on CityWatch — the city’s reverse 911 system — went out to residents Dec. 3, plus the event was included in the city’s printed and online newsletters and highlighted in the banner on the home page of the city’s website.

But some council members said the CityWatch message was garbled and hard to understand, and Weizer said she did not even receive the message.

“I honestly don’t know what to do to get people more engaged,” Infeld said.

Goldberg seeks feedback

Vice Mayor Frankie Goldberg said she was disappointed the room was not filled for the meeting.

“We certainly need more than just fire personnel at this meeting,” she said. “We serve our residents, and I want to hear from them.”

Goldberg said she sees the study as “an opportunity.”

“We’re pioneers, and I think we owe it to our residents to be the kind of pioneers they can be proud of,” she said. “Maybe this should go to the voters.”

Acting Law Director James Budzik said both city councils would have to approve a merger for it to go forward. A council-of-governments agreement between the two cities would also be required, he said.

In May 2011, the two cities received a $25,000 grant from The Cleveland Foundation to conduct the study. A $25,000 match was paid by the two cities in proportion to their populations.

The Cleveland Foundation also agreed to pay $15,000 for implementation costs resulting from shared fire services.

ESCI held public meetings in both cities in May and presented an overview of the results of the study in both cities in October.

Infeld said another town hall meeting to get feedback on the study will be held in January. She said the city plans to send post cards “on bright-colored paper” to every residence in the city to promote that event.

“Emails (with feedback) are welcome from residents to council and the mayor, and we urge residents to read the study on the website,” Goldberg said.

Shaker Heights Mayor Earl Leiken said his city will also provide another opportunity for public input, but he was not sure when that would happen.

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